ad hoc

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Arranged or made for one particular purpose only, not as part of a regular plan.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, as in an ad hoc committee; it is not usually used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • an ad hoc meeting
   • an ad hoc committee
   • ad hoc arrangements

   The city set up an ad hoc group to deal with the flood damage.

   We made ad hoc repairs to the roof until a builder could come.

   An ad hoc decision like that can cause problems later.

2. 2adverb

   In a way that is arranged only when the need appears, not by a fixed plan.

   Grammar: Used after a verb to describe how something is done, as in decided ad hoc.

   Patterns

   • decide ad hoc
   • meet ad hoc
   • work ad hoc

   The team meets ad hoc, only when a new problem comes up.

   They handled the complaints ad hoc rather than following a set procedure.

   Funding was given ad hoc, so no one knew how long it would last.

Common combinations

ad hoc committee

An ad hoc committee was formed to review the rules.

ad hoc basis

Staff are hired on an ad hoc basis during busy periods.

ad hoc meeting

We called an ad hoc meeting to discuss the delay.

ad hoc approach

Their ad hoc approach saved time but caused confusion.

Synonyms and how they differ

improvised

This stresses that something was made up on the spot, while ad hoc can also suggest a practical, one-off arrangement.

temporary

This means lasting only a short time, whereas ad hoc focuses on being for one particular purpose.

one-off

This is more informal and means happening only once, not as part of a regular pattern.

Opposites

Commonly confused: ad hoc or ad hominem?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ad hoc”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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